Eminem and Elton John | 2001

Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

Eminem would never say that he was homophobic, but he'd definitely tell you about a disturbed fan named Stan who, through his lyrics, became increasingly violent as his idolized star unintentionally ignored him. The rap was so powerful that musician and fan Elton John decided to accompany the Detroit rapper when he presented it to the MTV crowd. Em was most likely out to address critics who had been calling him a homophobe, and Elton didn't mind helping him out. Who knows if the message was received, but the performance was great.

Eminem would never say that he was homophobic, but he'd definitely tell you about a disturbed fan named Stan who, through his lyrics, became increasingly violent as his idolized star unintentionally ignored him. The rap was so powerful that musician and fan Elton John decided to accompany the Detroit rapper when he presented it to the MTV crowd. Em was most likely out to address critics who had been calling him a homophobe, and Elton didn't mind helping him out. Who knows if the message was received, but the performance was great. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Eminem would never say that he was homophobic, but he'd definitely tell you about a disturbed fan named Stan who, through his lyrics, became increasingly violent as his idolized star unintentionally ignored him. The rap was so powerful that musician and fan Elton John decided to accompany the Detroit rapper when he presented it to the MTV crowd. Em was most likely out to address critics who had been calling him a homophobe, and Elton didn't mind helping him out. Who knows if the message was received, but the performance was great.